Inbreeding depression for reproductive and yield related traits in S1 lines of maize (Zea mays L.)

This research was conducted to determine inbreeding depression in S1 maize lines for reproductive and yield related traits, at NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan, in two successive seasons during 2002. Maize variety"Pahari" was selfed for one generation and 63 S1 lines were evaluated using "lattice square design" with two replications along with the parental population. Days to mid silking and mid pollen shed (anthesis), plant height and ear height (cm), and 200 grain weight (g) showed inbreeding depression with varying degrees. Severe inbreeding depression was observed for yield with the average of 709 kg ha-1. Inbreeding depression for 200 grains weight averaged 19 g, while for plant height and ear height it was calculated as 33 and 16 cm. Inbreeding depression for days to mid silking and pollen shed was lower as compared to morphological and yield components. Silking and pollen shed were delayed by 1.8 and 1.5 days on the average, respectively, as compared to the parental variety. Yield was significantly correlated with all maturity and morphological characters. Maturity characters were positively and significantly correlated with each other, showing good synchronization in maturity characters, while they were negatively and significantly correlated with yield components.